Music

"Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue" - Plato

Music is a cornerstone of Walthamstow Academy. The music department is a vibrant and flourishing place where pupils inspire each other and work together in harmony. Live music features at every Academy event.

Paul Axford - Head of Music, drum kit and guitar specialist teaching.

Hannah Arben - Teacher of Music and Singing Co-ordinator

James Pettinger - Piano and keyboard teacher

Neil Charles - Bass guitar teacher

Geraldine McEwan - Strings Teacher (violin, viola, cello)

Instrumental Programme

At Walthamstow Academy we believe that every child should have access to affordable music lessons on their choice of instrument.

Our programme runs on 10 weekly, twenty minute lessons per term. The option to share lessons with a student of similar ability further reduces the cost. All of our instrumental teachers are fully DBS checked and quality assured.

Lessons operate during the Academy day on a carousel system which avoids students continually missing the same subject lessons. Please see the staffing list above for the range of instruments on offer. A subsidy is available for students entitled to 'pupil premium' funding.

Music Clubs

Twice a week the music department opens its doors to all during lunchtime for informal cross year/form group music making opportunities. Regular afterschool sessions are also run for students studying GCSE music and A-Level Music Technology.

Ensembles

Choir - led by Hannah Arben

Samba Band - led by Paul Axford

WASP (Walthamstow Academy Steel Pans) - led by Paul Axford

African Drumming Group - led by Hannah Arben

Samba Band in action

Public Performance Opportunities

The music department calendar is crammed full of events both internally and externally. Our popular termly community concert in the Agora gives many pupils the opportunity to perform in front of their friends and teachers in an informal setting.

Formal performance opportunities include the Christmas Concert and Music Junction showcase in Cadogan Hall. The annual Academy production is enriched with high quality music from our top student musicians.

Music Industry Partnerships

We are in partnership with the London Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chant Productions, Tornado Productions, the Waltham Forest Music Service and United Learning. Through projects run with our partners we provide a wide variety of internal and external musical enrichment opportunities that reach out to many students.